Haunted Heart

Acceptance

    Her eyes snapped open. Was it all just some crazy dream? Did she really just imagine her own k********g? And her unbelievable destiny? Angela sat up and reached over to find the lamp on the nightstand next to her. Only after she turned it on did she realize that she was not in her own bed, nor in her  own apartment. It was real, but how? 

    Angela climbed out of bed and began looking around. “This room is different” she wondered allowed. 

    “That’s because we don’t have to worry about you running off anymore” said Zander as he entered the room. “This is the suit put together with you in mind.” 

    The bed faced a wall of windows from floor to ceiling. Angela walked over and opened the French doors and stepped out onto the patio. She gazed upon the blue of the lake and was reminded of their earlier encounter. 

    “Did I faint?” Angela asked as Zander stepped up to the railing next to her. “Yes, unfortunately you did. I figured it best not to leave the queen in a heap on the back lawn so I carried you up to your room to rest. I am very glad to see you awake. Are you hurt? That was quite the spill” 

    “No, I’m a bit sore but I will be alright” She responded. “ Very good” he replied with a nod of his head. “Because of your spell we where not able to start any of your training, that will have to begin tomorrow. For now we had better get some food in you, keep your strength up.” And in saying so Zander turned and walked back inside leaving Angela a gap. What kind of training did she need? It all still seemed so impossible to her. 

    She walked back into her room to find Zander waiting for her. “That door leads to your bathroom” he said as he gestured to the door to the left of the bed, “and the door next to that is your walk in closet. You will need to go shopping for adequate clothes soon, but for now we moved everything from your apartment in here.” 

    “You where in my apartment? What gives you the right to go digging through my things?” She asked. What is wrong with these people? First she is kidn*pped off the street and held captive, and now they go invading her privacy on a whim. As she turned to continue yelling, Angela came face to face, or nearly if she was taller, with Zander mere inches from her. 

    “I went to your home and acquired the necessities in order to make you feel more comfortable, not to insult you by invading your privacy. I assure you I did not snoop around in hopes of finding anything unseemly” he said in a soft voice. As he spoke Zander’s eyes traveled over Angela’s face as if he was looking at her for the first time. 

    “What?” She asked in a quiet voice,” do I have something on my face?” He only shook his head in answer and moved away to open the door. “It is time to eat” He said and followed behind her as she left the room. As this room was very different and in a different location Angela paused in the hallway, not sure in which direction she needed to go. Zander exited the room and gestured for her to continue down the hallway to the left. 

    “Your rooms and the rooms of the council members are on the opposite end of the house from all the rest. The two hallways meet in the middle where the living area and kitchen are located. You also have your own office in the room to the right of your bedroom. After dinner I will show you a bit more of the property so that you can find your way around without getting lost.” 

    “Thank you” said Angela as they descended the stairs to the living area. Tonight there where a few people lounging on the inviting furniture watching a football game on the large television mounted over the fireplace. They continued on into the kitchen and a incredible smell triggered a fit of grumbling in Angelas stomach. Whatever it was that was being prepared smelled heavenly. Since the kitchen was empty Angela took the opportunity to look around and admire the room. Whomever had designed the kitchen had a knack for keeping everything organized but also had a bit of fun with the deep blue cupboards and large butcher block island. As she looked on Zander opened the oven and unwrapped the ham cooking within. The sweet smell of maple tickled her nose and drew her closer. Angela bent over next to Zander in the hopes of catching a small piece of meat when he was not looking. Unfortunately she was not quite fast enough and received a slap on the hand for her efforts. 

    “Hey! What was that for” she asked in a dumb struck voice. “Don’t pick at the food, its rude” Zander responded with a chuckle, closing the oven and setting a timer. Now pouting Angela went around the large island and sat on one of the bar stools to watch him finish the meal. 

    Zander grabbed potatoes and began to wash them, all the while peaking at her out of the corner of his eye. “Why must you watch me?’ he asked in a stern voice. “Because you seem so at home in the kitchen, and I wish I could cook like that.” 

    “You can’t cook?” He asked. “Not a bit” she responded with a laugh “I have been known to burn water on more than one occasion.” 

    “What where you trying to make when you did that?” He asked in shock. “Macaroni and Cheese.... from a box” Angela admitted sheepishly. 

    As Zander continued preparing the sides for their dinner the conversation continued in a easy rhythm of teasing banter, neither one of them fully realizing how comfortable they had begun to feel with one another. 

    Finally dinner was served, and as Angela took her seat next to Zander a thought occurred to her. “Why do you do the cooking? If your family and the families of other council members are so wealthy couldn’t you hire someone to do it for you?” Zander nodded his head but gave no further explanation as the room began to fill with other shifters. 

    As Everyone began to pass platters of glazed ham, roasted potatoes and steamed broccoli Zander cleared his throat to gain their attention. “I would like to introduce you all to our newest shifter Angela.” Everyone in turn conveyed their welcomes but Angela did not hear many of them as she was busy staring at Zander. Once everyone proceeded in serving up their plates Angela leaned towards Zander and asked “why didn’t you tell them?” 

“Because until you have gone through the ceremony to be crowned queen the fewer that know the better. There are some that don’t believe that a queen exists and others whom would choose to destroy you and keep things as they are, or worse take power for themselves by illuminating you.” Zander spoke quietly into her ear. Angela shivered at the thought. She knew that she had one man hunting her down, but now given her newly aquired powers and rank she would have even more enemies in the shadows. All that she could hope for was that her newly discovered powers with the added training would be enough to defend herself in the day to come.